‘Don’t need Dustin Martin to win a premiership’: Caroline Wilson slams Suns

Veteran AFL reporter Caroline Wilson has sparked debate after calling for Suns coach to follow his own advice in the pursuit of Dustin Martin.

Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has thrown Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick’s words back in his face, calling for the club to “grow up” and end its pursuit of Dustin Martin.

The three-time Norm Smith medallist has been heavily linked with a move to the Suns to link up with former premiership coach Hardwick.

Former Melbourne superstar David Schwarz declared it was “100 per cent” that Martin would head to the Gold Coast next year.

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Rumours have been surrounding Martin all season with the reclusive star refusing to share his plans for the future.

From questions over whether Martin would retire after reaching his 300th game in June, which was shut down by the man himself after the game, to a move up north or even staying put at Richmond, the rumour mill has been in overdrive around the 33-year-old.

But after the Suns handed North Melbourne a rare victory on Saturday, Hardwick unloaded on his side, saying: “As a footy club we’ve got to grow the f**k up to be perfectly honest — excuse the language.”

Hardwick wasn’t happy. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Hardwick escaped a sanction for the profanity, but couldn’t escape Wilson, who called for the Suns to show some maturity and drop the chase for Martin.

“Damien Hardwick wants the Gold Coast Suns to grow up,” Wilson said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.

“To his credit, the coach after the loss to North Melbourne, included himself in his brutal, and let’s face it, poorly worded assessment. Here is one area where both the Gold Coast Suns and the coach could grow up.

“Let’s have a listen to what he said last week when questioned about Dustin Martin.”

Wilson pointed to Harwick’s comments when he was asked about Martin, where he neither confirmed nor denied, he said the Suns would be “crazy” not to consider signing the star.

“Like 17 other clubs, we’re always looking for good players,” Hardwick said last week.

“Gold Coast is no different. Those list management calls will get made at the back-end of the year.”

But Wilson, a Richmond fan, slapped down the idea of a reunion on the Gold Coast, calling for Martin to stay a “one-club player”.

“Damien, I reckon the more mature answer would have been ‘no — Dustin Martin is a champion, he is a 300 gamer, possibly Richmond’s greatest ever player, but he is not part of our future, and he should remain a Tiger’,” Wilson said.

“The Gold Coast have some brilliant players and their future are guys like Miller, Andrews, Rowell and Humphrey. They don’t need comments like that from their coach. They don’t need Dustin Martin to win a premiership.

“In your own words Damien, you have some wonderful new toys up there, get them going and let Dustin Martin remain a one-club player.”

Should Dusty stay or should he go? Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Dusty and Dimma have history. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images

Co-host Sam McClure said he “couldn’t disagree more”.

“Why would he say he is not part of the future when that would be a lie?” McClure said.

But Wilson said she didn’t believe Martin to the Suns was a sure thing.

“I don’t see him in any way being part of their plans,” she said. “I think Dustin is becoming a bit of a distraction at Richmond and I don’t think he needs to become a distraction on the Gold Coast.”

Kane Cornes interjected, asking: “Do you think Dustin Martin is a good fit on the Gold Coast in his current form and his current motivation level?

“Do you think he’ll be a good role model for those young players to come in, and set an example, training standards and be a consistent player?”

McClure replied: “Yes, because he will train.”

Matthew Lloyd took a different approach.

“My argument is if they want Dustin Martin, it is not your call — it’s theirs. And if they want Dustin Martin, they should go for him,” Lloyd said.

McClure concurred, saying: “They get him for free, it’s a no-brainer.”

But Wilson questioned the logic of signing Martin, particularly with a young core at the club.

“Yeah but I’m allowed to have an opinion aren’t I?” Wilson said. “I don’t think it’s the right call and I don’t think it is the right message to send to his players.

“They don’t need Dustin Martin, in my opinion, and not that I’m not allowing others to join in here but I don’t think I’m alone in that opinion.

“I think he is the last thing they need. I also have a firm belief that some champions, for their own sake and for the sake of their club, should remain one-club players.

“I don’t think he is the right fit and I don’t think in the position he plays that they need

him in that position.

“And as I said, don’t you think some players, for the sake of the game and some romance should be one-club players.”

Caro has taken aim at the Suns. Photo: Channel 9

Lloyd pointed out Luke Hodge played over 305 games and won four premierships with Hawthorn before finishing his career with two seasons at Brisbane, adding: “I think times have changed a bit.”

“Hawthorn and Luke – Hawthorn sort of retired Luke Hodge really,” Wilson retorted. “Dustin Martin wouldn’t be retired by Richmond. They are not pushing him out.”

While Cornes said he had “no issue with what Damien Hardwick said and the way he answered the question”, he added: “It would be a big mistake for the Gold Coast to sign Dustin Martin”.

Wilson had the last word, saying: “And it would be a sign of maturity if they sat down and realised they don’t need Dustin Martin.”

Originally published as ‘Don’t need Dustin Martin to win a premiership’: Caroline Wilson slams Suns